KR101021072B1 - Optical Joy Stick and Portable Electronic Device Having the Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses an optical joystick and a portable electronic device having the same by improving the accuracy by preventing the light from entering into the optical sensor due to external light and / or diffuse reflection. An optical joystick and a portable electronic device having the same according to the present invention include: an infrared light source for emitting infrared light; A cover unit illuminated by the infrared light source and having a subject contact surface for contact with the subject; A light receiving unit for detecting infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject; And an optical member provided in an infrared light path reflected from the subject toward the light receiving unit. Here, the cover portion of each of the optical joystick and the portable electronic device according to the present invention, the cover base is illuminated by the infrared light source, and provided on one side of the cover base to block external light of a predetermined band and substantially the infrared wavelength And an infrared pass layer that transmits light in the band.

Light joystick, infrared light source, subject, cover, infrared pass layer

Description

Optical joy stick and portable electronic device having the same

The present invention relates to an optical joystick and an electronic device having the same, and more particularly, to an optical joystick applicable to a user interface of an electronic device such as a portable terminal and a portable electronic device having the same.

In general, an electronic device such as a mobile terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA) adopts a user interface using a keypad.

In more detail, a typical portable electronic device includes a keypad having a plurality of buttons for inputting numbers, letters, or symbols, and a user presses a button on the keypad to input desired data such as numbers or words. You can type in or select the menu.

In addition, the portable electronic device includes a display unit to display data input by the user through the keypad and / or related information.

In recent years, in order to support communication services or Internet services using electronic devices, wireless Internet services such as WIBRO (Wireless Broadband) and wireless mobile communication services have been commercialized. ), Windows operating system such as Windows CE is adopted.

In addition, with the development of communication technology, the portable electronic device provides various additional services to the user, and the GUI-based Windows operating system facilitates the provision of the additional service by the portable electronic device.

A user interface for more convenient use of a general electronic device is a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch pad, a joystick, etc., and it changes according to the movement of a finger, which is a subject in recent years. Background Art An optical joystick for moving a pointer such as a cursor or receiving information and / or a command desired by a user by sensing an optical signal is developed and applied to an electronic device.

1 and 2, the general optical joystick 10 may include a light source 11, a cover member 12, an image sensor 13 that detects an optical signal, and guide the light to the image sensor 13. The light guide 14 is comprised.

The optical joystick 10 may be provided separately from the electronic device 1 and may be connected by wire or wirelessly, but may be mounted directly on the main body 2 of the electronic device 1, and the optical device may be mounted on the optical device 1. When the joystick is integrally provided, it is preferable to have a structure in which the thickness is minimized in order to slim the electronic device.

The cover member 12 generally has a flat plate shape, and an outer surface of the cover member 12 is formed with a subject contact surface 12a to which a subject 20, such as a finger, is contacted for manipulation of an electronic device, and the image sensor 13 is It is provided on a PCB (not shown) for processing an input signal.

As a result, when the finger, which is the subject 20, is brought into contact with the subject contact surface 12a, the optical signal input to the image sensor 13 is changed according to the movement of the finger, and the electronic device is moved according to the movement of the finger. Can be manipulated.

In more detail, in the state where the subject 20 is not in contact with the subject contact surface 12a, the light emitted from the light source passes through the cover member 12 and is irradiated to the outside of the cover member 12. .

On the other hand, when a subject such as a finger comes into contact with the subject contact surface 12a, the light emitted from the light source 11 hits the subject 20 and is reflected, and then passes through the light guide 14 to the image sensor 13. Is taken).

Here, when the subject in contact with the subject contact surface 12a moves, the optical signal reflected by the subject 20 and sensed by the image sensor 13 also changes.

The optical signal sensed by the image sensor 13 is processed by a controller (not shown) having an image processor (not shown), and according to the movement of the subject on the display unit 3 of the electronic device 1. The movement of the cursor or the content of the input information may be displayed, letters and / or numbers may be input to the electronic device, or a content menu desired by the user may be selected.

The detection method of the optical signal by the image sensor 13 and the control method of the image are similar to those of the optical mouse of the computer, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

On the other hand, when the subject 20 is not in contact with the subject contact surface 12a, the light emitted from the light source 11 is emitted through the cover member 12 to the outside, so that the user's eyes due to glare It may cause fatigue or cause vision loss.

In addition, when the external light by ultraviolet light or external illumination, for example, visible light band or ultraviolet light is introduced into the optical joystick through the cover member 12 and reaches the image sensor, the optical joystick is turned on. There is a problem that malfunctions, the accuracy of accurate operation according to the movement of the subject is reduced.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a light joystick that can prevent or minimize the malfunction of the light joystick due to external light and minimize or prevent the adverse effect of the light source on the user and It is for providing a portable electronic device having.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises: an infrared light source for emitting infrared light; A cover unit illuminated by the infrared light source and having a subject contact surface for contact with the subject; A light receiving unit for detecting infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject; And an optical member provided in an infrared light path reflected from the subject to the light receiving unit.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an electronic device main body having a display unit; Provided is a portable electronic device including an optical joystick provided in the electronic device main body. The optical joystick; An infrared light source for emitting infrared rays, a subject contact surface to which the subject for operation of the electronic device contacts, is formed, a cover unit illuminated by the infrared light source, a light receiving unit for detecting the infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject, and the subject It includes an optical member that is reflected in the optical path of the infrared light toward the light receiving portion.

Here, each cover portion of the optical joystick and the portable electronic device according to the present invention includes a cover base illuminated by the infrared light source and one side of the cover base to block external light of a predetermined band and substantially have an infrared wavelength. And an infrared pass layer that transmits light in the band.

The infrared ray pass layer includes an infrared ray pass film attached to at least one surface of an inner side and an outer side of the cover base to transmit only light in an infrared wavelength band.

Unlike the above, the infrared ray pass layer may include an infrared ray pass material coated on at least one surface of the inner side and the outer side of the cover base to transmit only light in the infrared wavelength band.

The infrared light source includes an infrared LED module emitting the infrared light.

In addition, the optical joystick and the portable electronic device according to the present invention may further include a light condensation shield provided to at least one of a holder accommodating the optical member and the light receiving portion to shield the light.

The light blocking part may be made of a light blocking material through which light is not transmitted.

In addition to the above configuration, the present invention may further include a light condensing filter unit provided on one side of the light receiving unit to selectively transmit only light of a predetermined wavelength band to the light receiving unit.

The light filter part is coated on the surface of the light receiver to transmit light having a wavelength range of 850 nm ± 100 nm.

The optical member is received inside the holder; The holder includes a light source installation groove in which the infrared light source is installed, an accommodation groove for accommodating the optical member, and a light inflow prevention part for blocking the light from the light.

The light source installation groove is formed outside the receiving groove; The infrared light source has a light exit surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the cover portion and facing in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface of the cover portion; The light emitting surface is disposed to face the light reflecting surface which is formed to be inclined on the wall surface of the light source installation groove, the light reflecting surface reflects the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source toward the subject contact surface.

The light receiving portion includes an optical sensor mounted to the holder; The infrared light source is connected to a first circuit board and the image sensor is connected to a second circuit board; The holder includes a first coupling protrusion inserted into a first coupling hole formed in the first circuit board and a second coupling protrusion inserted into a second coupling hole formed in the second circuit board.

The first coupling protrusion protrudes laterally from the side of the holder, and the second coupling protrusion protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the holder, so that the first circuit board is substantially perpendicular to the second circuit board. Is coupled to the holder.

The optical joystick and the electronic device having the same according to the present invention described above have the following effects.

First, according to the present invention, an infrared pass layer is provided in the cover part to prevent external light outside the infrared band from flowing into the light joystick, thereby preventing or minimizing malfunction of the light joystick caused by sunlight or external illumination light. This improves the precision of the optical joystick.

Second, since the light joystick according to the present invention has a light shielding unit and / or a light filter unit, it is possible to further block the inflow of external light to the optical sensor, thereby further improving the operation precision of the light joystick.

Third, according to the present invention, since the first circuit board with the light source and the second circuit board with the optical sensor can be easily fixed to the holder by the combination of the projection and the groove, respectively, the assemblability is improved.

Fourth, according to the present invention, since the light inflow prevention portion forming the side wall of the holder is reflected from the subject to prevent interference of light and light that is directed to the optical sensor through the prism and the condenser lens, the accuracy of the light joystick can be improved.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention in which the object of the present invention can be specifically realized will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present embodiment, the same name and the same reference numerals are used for the same configuration and additional description thereof will be omitted below.

First, referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, a first embodiment of an optical joystick and a portable electronic device having the same according to the present invention will be described.

3 to 6, the light joystick 100 according to the present invention includes a light source 110, a cover unit 120, a light receiving unit 130, and an optical member 140.

The light source 110 emits light, and the cover part 120 is illuminated by the light emitted from the light source 110. In the present embodiment, the light source 110 is preferably an infrared light source that emits infrared rays so as not to give fatigue to the eye compared to the visible light. In this embodiment, the infrared light source is composed of an infrared LED module.

The cover part 120 is illuminated by the infrared light source 110, and the cover part 120 is provided with a subject contact surface 121 for contacting a subject (not shown) such as a finger, which will be described below. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface on which the object contact surface 121 is formed is referred to as a front surface of the optical joystick for convenience of description.

The infrared ray is transmitted to the subject contact surface 121. When the subject contacts the subject contact surface 121, the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 110 is reflected from the subject and irradiated to the light receiving unit 130.

The light receiver 130 detects infrared rays reflected from the subject. In more detail, the light receiving unit 130 has an optical sensor 131 for capturing infrared rays reflected from the subject, and the optical sensor 131 is electrically connected to the circuit board 132.

The optical sensor 131 is an image sensor provided on the circuit board 132. The optical sensor 131 detects the infrared rays that change according to the movement of the subject and is reconstructed into an electrical signal image. After the information captured by the optical sensor 131 is provided to an image processor (not shown), the information is output on the display screen by a controller (not shown) according to a moving direction, a speed, a moving distance, etc. of the subject.

The light shielding tape 131a or the light filter may be attached to the surface of the optical sensor 131.

The optical member 140 is provided in the infrared light path reflected from the subject to the light receiving unit 130, and functions to refraction / reflection of light for collecting infrared light and / or forming an optical path. The optical member 140 may include a condenser lens 143 for condensing or at least one prism 141 or 142 for refraction of an optical path.

In this embodiment, in order to make the optical joystick slim, the at least one prism 141, 142 is arranged in parallel with the front surface of the optical joystick (orthogonal to the thickness direction of the optical joystick). By converting (reflecting) in one direction and reflecting to the rear where the optical sensor is located, a sufficient depth of focus can be formed.

In this embodiment, a pair of mutually divided prisms (141, 142) are provided on the optical path of the infrared rays to function as a light guide, and the pair of prisms (141, 142) is focused, that is, A condenser lens 143 for focusing is provided.

Of course, the optical member is not limited to the prism or the condenser lens, and other types such as waveguides and reflectors for forming an optical path may be applied, and the prism and the lens may be integrally formed, and the prism is not removable. It may be integral.

The optical member 140 is accommodated in the holder 150, and the holder 150 is provided with a receiving groove 151 for receiving the optical member 140, so that the pair of prisms 141 and 142. ) And the condenser lens 143 are mounted to the receiving groove 151 in front of the holder 150.

The optical member 140 may further include a stop holder 144 provided between the pair of prisms 141 and 142 to pass only a predetermined amount of infrared light.

In addition, a light source mounting groove 152 for installing the infrared light source 110 is formed at one side of the holder 150, and the infrared light source 110 is coupled to a separate circuit board 111. It is mounted to the installation groove 152.

The cover part 120 covers the holder 150. In the present embodiment, the cover portion 120 is a cap shape, the subject contact surface is formed on the front surface and the back is open, the hollow corresponding to the shape is formed in the holder 150 therein.

The cover part 120 is coupled to the holder 150 to cover the front of the holder 150 and surround the side, thereby preventing the prism 141 and 142 and the condensing lens 143 from being separated. To protect the infrared light source 110.

On the other hand, the cover unit 120 prevents or minimizes the malfunction of the optical joystick by the external light source by blocking external light of a predetermined band and transmitting light of the infrared wavelength band substantially.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cover part 120 is provided at one side of the cover base 121a and the cover base 121a which are illuminated by the infrared light source 110, and blocks external light of a predetermined band. An infrared pass layer 121b that substantially transmits light in the infrared wavelength band is included.

The cover base 121a and the infrared ray pass layer 121b form a front surface of the cover part 120, and the infrared ray pass layer 121b is disposed on at least one side of an inner side and an outer side of the cover base 121a. It may be provided in a structure separated from the cover base or in contact with the structure.

When the infrared pass layer 121b is provided inside the cover base 121a, the object contact surface 121 is formed on the cover base 121a, and the infrared pass layer 121b is formed on the cover base (b). When provided on the outer surface (front surface) of 121a, the subject contact surface 121 is formed on the infrared path layer 121b.

The infrared pass layer 121b includes an infrared pass film that is attached to at least one surface of an inner surface and an outer surface of the cover base 121a to transmit only light in an infrared wavelength band.

Unlike the above, the infrared pass layer 121b may be formed of an infrared pass material coated on at least one surface of an inner side and an outer side of the cover base 121a to transmit only light in an infrared wavelength band. It may be.

This embodiment discloses the infrared pass layer 121b having a coating layer coated with a coating made of the infrared pass material on an outer surface of the cover base 121a.

Of course, the cover part 120 may be injection-molded with an optical plastic material that transmits only an infrared band, but in this case, there is a problem in that a material cost for forming the cover part increases and a large cost loss occurs when a product is defective.

On the other hand, it is preferable that a coating material (not shown) is applied to the outer surface of the cover part 120 to prevent scratches. As the coating material, various coating materials such as UV resin can be applied.

Of course, the infrared pass layer 121b may be provided only at a portion of the front surface of the cover portion 120 where the subject contact surface is formed, and the rest of the light may be completely blocked.

Referring to FIG. 6, the holder 150 has a shape in which the accommodating groove 151 has a front surface open in the interior of the substantially rectangular body, but the holder 150 is circular or rectangular according to design conditions. It may have various shapes such as other polygons. In addition, the shape of the cover part 120 coupled to the holder 150 may also have various shapes such as a circular polygon.

As described above, the holder 150 is equipped with the prisms 141 and 142 and the condenser lens 143. Hereinafter, an upstream prism of the prisms is called a first prism 141 and a downstream prism is called a second prism 142.

In addition, a predetermined portion of the front of the accommodation groove 151, more specifically, the remaining portion except for the portion where the reflected infrared rays are incident from the subject is shielded by the light-shielding shielding tape 160, thereby keeping the holder 150. Blocks the inflow of light into the interior of the receiving groove 151 in front of.

The holder 150 is provided with the light source 110 and the optical sensor 131, and for convenience of description, a circuit board connected to the light source 110 is called a first circuit board 111, and the optical The circuit board to which the sensor 131 is connected is called a second circuit board 132.

The first circuit board 111 and the second circuit board 132 are coupled to the holder 150. To this end, in the present embodiment, at least one first coupling hole 111a is formed in the first circuit board 111 and at least one second coupling hole 132a is formed in the second circuit board 132. do.

The holder 150 includes at least one first coupling protrusion 153 inserted into the at least one first coupling hole 111a and at least one second insertion hole in the at least one second coupling hole 132a. Two coupling protrusions (not shown) are formed.

In the present embodiment, the first circuit board 111 to which the light source 110 is coupled is coupled to the side surface of the holder 150, and the second circuit board 132 is located behind the holder 150. Combined.

In more detail, the first coupling protrusion 153 protrudes laterally from the side of the holder 150, and the second coupling protrusion protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the holder 150.

Here, the first coupling protrusion 153 is provided at a wall surface of the light source installation groove 151 or a position adjacent thereto, and the optical sensor 131 is provided in front of the second circuit board 132. The first circuit board 111 and the second circuit board 132 are coupled to the holder 150 in a substantially vertical state.

However, depending on the design conditions, the first circuit board 111 and the second circuit board 332 may be arranged in parallel with each other or at an angle other than a right angle.

The first circuit board 111 and the second circuit board 132 are interconnected by a flexible circuit board 133, and the second circuit board 132 is a main circuit board of a portable electronic device (to be described later). (Not shown).

According to the optical joystick according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 110 passes through the cover base 121a and the infrared path layer 121b and hits the subject and is reflected thereafter. It is incident into the cover part 120.

On the other hand, since light of a predetermined wavelength band, for example, ultraviolet rays or visible rays, emitted from sunlight or external illumination light is blocked by the infrared ray pass layer 121b of the cover part 120, external light is absorbed by the optical sensor ( Reaching 131 may be prevented or minimized to improve manipulation accuracy according to the movement of the subject.

The infrared rays reflected into the cover part 120 are incident on the incident surface of the first prism 141 among the pair of prisms, and then the second prism 142 is emitted through the condenser lens 143. A portable electronic device, which is emitted through a surface, reaches the optical sensor 131 and is described later in accordance with infrared information detected by the optical sensor 131.

7 shows a PDA as an embodiment of a portable electronic device having an optical joystick according to the present invention.

The portable electronic device 50 includes an electronic device body 52 having a display unit 51 and the optical joystick 100. The optical joystick 100 is integrally provided in the electronic device main body 52, and a main circuit board (not shown) and various electric components are provided in the electronic device main body 52.

Accordingly, when the user moves a finger in contact with the subject contact surface 121 of the optical joystick 100, the pointer or cursor moves on the screen of the display unit 51 according to the movement of the finger, and the letter, number, or menu The operation desired by the user, such as selection, may be performed.

The present embodiment discloses a PDA as the portable electronic device, but is not limited thereto. The portable electronic device according to the present invention includes various other electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a navigation device, a remote controller, and the like.

Next, a second embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

8 and 9, the second embodiment 200 of the optical joystick according to the present invention includes an optical member 240 accommodated in the light source 210, the cover 220, and the holder 250. It includes a light receiving unit 230 for light detection.

The holder 250 includes an accommodation groove 251 for accommodating the optical member 240 and a light source installation groove (not shown) in which the light source 210 is installed, and is coupled to the cover part 220. It is sealed by the cover part 220.

In this embodiment, the receiving groove 251 is formed in the center portion of the holder 250, the light source installation groove is formed in the edge portion of the holder 250, but may be formed in other locations according to the design conditions.

The optical member 240 includes a condenser lens 243 for imaging and at least one prism 241, 242 for reflecting and / or refracting light for conversion of the optical path. In the present exemplary embodiment, the optical member 240 includes a pair of prisms 241 and 242, and the condenser lens 243 is provided between the pair of prisms 241 and 242 to provide the light receiving unit 230. Focus the infrared rays toward.

In the present embodiment, the pair of prisms 241 and 242 and the condenser lens 243 are integrally provided with each other.

In addition to the above configuration, the optical joystick 200 according to the present embodiment has a predetermined view due to diffuse reflection or diffusion among external light, for example, light by sunlight or external illumination and / or light reflected from the subject. The light shielding part 261, 262, and 263 for shielding the light, such as the light which escaped from the furnace, is further included.

According to the present embodiment, the light dividing shields 261 and 262 provided on at least one of the holder 250 and the light receiving unit 230 are provided, and a separate light dividing shield 263 is also provided on the cover unit 220. May be provided.

The light shielding parts 261, 262, and 263 may be formed of a band pass filter type for passing only light through a predetermined band. In the present embodiment, the light shielding parts 261, 262, and 263 are made of an adhesive tape made of a light blocking material that does not transmit light.

The cover part 220 has a circular cap shape with an open bottom, and includes a rim 221 surrounding the holder 250 and a flat front plate 222 forming a front surface of the rim. 140 and the holder 250 to which the light source is mounted are inserted into and coupled to the cover part 220.

Here, the front plate 222 of the cover portion 220 may be divided into a transmission portion 222a through which light is transmitted and a non-transmissive portion 222b through which light is not transmitted.

For example, the transmissive portion 222a may be coated with a light-transmissive paint to form a contact surface of the object, and the non-transmissive portion 222b may be coated with a light-shielding paint.

Unlike the above, the front cover 222 of the cover portion 222 may be divided into the transparent portion 222a and the non-transmissive portion 222b by injection molding the cover portion 220 into plastic of different materials.

The cover portion 220, in particular the front plate 222 of the cover portion may include a cover base and an infrared pass layer as in the first embodiment described above. In addition, when the front plate 222 is divided into a transmissive part and a non-transmissive part as described above, the infrared pass layer may be provided only inside and / or outside the transmissive part 222a.

The light source 210 may be made of an infrared light source such as an infrared LED. The infrared LED does not cause eye fatigue even when the user's eyes are exposed to the light of the light source for a long time as compared to a high brightness light source that emits visible light.

When the light blocking part 263 provided to the cover part 220 is called a first light blocking part, the first light blocking part 263 is provided inside the cover part 220 to provide the front plate 222. And covers a predetermined portion of the entire surface, and the second light shielding portion 261 is the front surface of the holder 250 when the light shielding portion 261 provided to the holder 250 is called a second light shielding portion. It is provided to block the glare from flowing in front of the optical member 240.

On the other hand, the light receiving unit 230 includes an optical sensor 231 as in the first embodiment of the present invention, and when the light blocking unit 262 provided to the light receiving unit 230 is referred to as a third light blocking unit, The third light shield 262 covers a predetermined portion of the entire surface of the optical sensor 231. The optical sensor 231 is provided on the front surface of the circuit board 232.

More specifically, the first light shielding portion 263 covers the remaining portion of the front plate 222 except for the subject contact surface to form the non-transmissive portion 222b, and the second light shielding portion 261 is formed. Is disposed in front of the receiving groove 251 to cover the front part of the optical member 240 so as not to interfere with the optical path of the infrared light reflected from the subject toward the optical sensor 231.

In addition, the third light shield 262 covers the remaining portion of the optical sensor 231 except for the focus portion where the infrared image is formed, in particular, the optical sensor in the process of transmitting infrared light to the optical sensor 231. Accurate imaging is performed on a portion of the unit 231.

The optical path and operation principle of the optical joystick 200 according to the present embodiment, the basic functions of each component, and other components that are not described above may be applied in the same manner, and thus, repeated description thereof will be omitted. do.

Next, a third embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

The light joystick 100a according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the light source 110, the cover 120, the optical member 140 accommodated in the holder 150, and the light receiver 130 for light detection.

In addition to the above configuration, the light joystick 100a according to the present invention is provided on one side of the light receiving unit 130 to provide a light filter 134 to selectively transmit only light of a predetermined wavelength band to the light receiving unit 130. It may further include.

The light filter 134 is coated on the surface of the light receiver 130 to transmit infrared light of 850nm ± 100nm wavelength band.

In more detail, the light receiving unit 130 includes an optical sensor 131, and the light filter 134 filters the light to reach only the light of the infrared wavelength band substantially to the optical sensor 131. This prevents or minimizes the malfunction of the optical joystick due to the dimming and improves the operation precision.

In the present embodiment, the light filter 134 is a band pass filter, but is not limited thereto. Other types may be applied to the light filter 134.

On the other hand, the configuration of the cover 120 may be equally applied to the first embodiment described above. The above-described embodiments may be applied to the rest of the optical joystick except for the above-described configuration and its operation principles, and the same reference numerals are used for the same configuration, and further description thereof will be omitted. However, the appearance shape of the cover portion 120 and the holder 150 may be changed according to design conditions.

12 to 14 show a fourth embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention.

12 to 14, the optical joystick 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an optical member 340 accommodated in the cover 320 and the holder 350 in which the light source 310 and the subject come into contact with each other. And a light receiver 330 having an optical sensor 331 for detecting light.

The light source 310 and the light receiving unit 330 may be applied in the same configuration as in the above-described embodiments, and the functions thereof are also the same, and further description thereof will be omitted.

The cover 320 is a part in which a subject such as a finger for contacting a portable electronic device is in contact with the holder 350, and the holder 350 is injection molded from a synthetic resin material, but the manufacturing method thereof is limited thereto. It doesn't happen.

The light source 310 may be, but is not limited to, an infrared light source 310 emitting infrared light, particularly an infrared LED as in the above-described embodiment, and is not limited thereto. The first circuit board 311 may be coupled to the holder 350. Is provided in the first circuit board 311 is electrically connected.

The optical sensor 331 is connected to the second circuit board 332 which is coupled to the holder 150. In this embodiment, the optical sensor 131 is mounted on the second circuit board 332. .

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light source 310 and the optical sensor 331 are provided on the first circuit board 311 and the second circuit board 332 which are divided with each other, and the first circuit board ( 311 and the second circuit board 332 are connected to each other by a connection part 333.

The connection part 333 is preferably a flexible circuit board so as to free the installation position of the first circuit board 311 and the second circuit board 332.

In order to mount the first circuit board 311 and the second circuit board 332 to the holder 350, the holder 350 includes at least one first coupling protrusion 353 and at least one second. Coupling protrusion 354 is included.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the holder 150 includes the first coupling protrusion 353 and a pair of the second coupling protrusions 354, and the first coupling protrusion 353 includes the first circuit board ( The 311 is fixed to the holder 350, and the second coupling protrusions 354 fix the second circuit board 332 to the holder 350.

In more detail, a first coupling hole 311a into which the first coupling protrusion 353 is inserted is formed in the first circuit board 311, and the second coupling protrusion is formed in the second circuit board 332. A second coupling hole 332a into which the 354 is inserted is formed. The first coupling protrusion 353 is formed adjacent to the light source mounting groove 352 of the holder 350 in which the light source is installed.

In this embodiment, the light source mounting groove 352 is formed on the side of the holder 150, the first coupling protrusion 353 is the side of the holder 150, more specifically the light source mounting groove It is provided to protrude laterally from the wall surface of 352.

In addition, the second coupling protrusion 354 is provided to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the holder 350 to which the second circuit board 332 is coupled.

Accordingly, the light source 310 and the optical sensor 331 is coupled to the first circuit board 311 and the second circuit board 332, respectively, the first coupling projection (353) to the When the first coupling hole 311a of the first circuit board 311 is inserted, and the second coupling protrusion 354 is inserted into the second coupling hole 332a of the second circuit board 332, the first The circuit board 311 and the second circuit board 332 are fixed to the side and the back of the holder 350, respectively.

The position, depth or width of the light source installation groove 352 may be changed according to design conditions such as the installation position of the light source 310, the light irradiation direction, and the size of the light source.

In the present embodiment, the second coupling protrusion 354 is provided on the rear edge of the holder 350, but is not limited thereto. The first circuit board 311 may be attached to the second circuit board 332. It is coupled to the holder 350 substantially perpendicularly.

The first coupling protrusion 353 and / or the second coupling protrusion 354 may have various shapes such as a circular cross section or a polygonal cross section, and may be made of a hook type.

In addition, the optical member such as a prism, a waveguide, and / or a lens is accommodated in the holder 350, and a shielding tape 360 is provided on the front surface of the holder 350, so that light may be accumulated in the holder 350. To prevent or minimize ingress.

In more detail, the holder 350 is provided with an accommodating groove 351 for accommodating the optical member 340, and the light source installing groove 352 is provided at one side of the accommodating groove 351. .

Here, the accommodating groove 351 is provided with at least one prism of an integral type or a separate type and at least one lens for forming an image.

In the present embodiment, the holder groove 351 of the holder is provided with a pair of prisms 341 and 342 and a condenser lens 343 that form a light path by refracting or reflecting light reflected by the subject. do.

The pair of prisms 341 and 342 may be integrated or separated, and the condensing lens 343 is provided between the pair of prisms 341 and 342, and the pair of prisms 341 and 342 are provided. ) May be provided integrally or separately with the condenser lens 343.

The magnification of the condenser lens 343 may be set to 0.5 to 2.5, but may be changed according to design conditions. The optical joystick according to the present invention may include a stop holder for blocking external light from the light directed to the optical sensor 331. 344) may be further included.

The stop holder 344 may be provided between the pair of prisms 341 and 342, and more specifically, may be provided on one side of the condenser lens 343, but the position holder 344 is not limited thereto. For convenience of description, an upstream prism of the pair of prisms is called a first prism 341 and a downstream prism is called a second prism 342.

The stop holder 344 has an opening hole 344a for the light path, the central portion of the light directed to the optical sensor 331 passes through the opening hole 344a and the rest of the outer portion of the stop holder 344. Blocked by the wall. The stop holder 344 may be manufactured in various ways, for example, may be injection molded from an opaque synthetic resin material.

On the other hand, the holder 350 includes a light inflow prevention unit 355 for blocking light. In the present exemplary embodiment, the light inflow prevention part 355 forms a side wall of the holder 350, in particular, one side wall of the accommodation groove 351.

In more detail, the light inflow prevention unit 355 is formed to be inclined to form one side wall of the light source installation groove 352, and reflects the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 310 toward the object contact surface. Light reflection surface 355a.

One side wall of the light source installation groove 352 on which the light reflection surface 355a is formed forms a sidewall of the accommodation groove 351, thereby blocking between the light source installation groove 352 and the accommodation groove 351. .

Accordingly, the light inflow prevention unit 355 blocks the light flowing into the prism or the condenser lens from the light path by the diffuse reflection and / or diffusion.

On the other hand, the light source 310 such as the infrared LED is disposed perpendicular to the front of the light joystick, that is, the front plate of the cover portion 320 provided with the object contact surface.

In more detail, the light source 310 is mounted in the light source installation groove 352 provided on the outside of the receiving groove 351. The light source 310 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the cover part 320, that is, the front plate.

Here, the light source 310 has a light emitting surface facing in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface of the cover 320. Therefore, the light exit surface of the light source 310 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the cover portion.

The light source 310 faces the light reflecting surface 355a which is formed to be inclined on the wall surface of the light source installing groove 352, and emits infrared rays toward the light reflecting surface 355a.

In other words, the light exit surface of the light source 310 perpendicular to the subject contact surface is disposed substantially perpendicular to the front plate of the cover part 320 so as to face the light reflection surface 355a. The light reflection surface 355a is formed to be inclined with respect to the front plate of the cover part 320 to reflect the infrared light emitted from the light source 310 toward the object contact surface.

On the other hand, the configuration of the cover 320 may be equally applied to the first embodiment described above. Except the above-described configuration, the rest of the configuration and the operation principle of the optical joystick is applicable to the above-described embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for the same configuration and additional description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to the optical path by the optical joystick in the electronic device having the optical joystick according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is as follows.

First, when a user selects a program mode of an electronic device to use the optical joystick, and makes a subject such as a finger touch the subject contact surface of the cover part, the light emitted from the light source 310 hits the subject and is reflected. It is then incident to the first prism 341.

Here, the light emitted from the light source 310 hits the light reflecting surface 355a of the light inflow prevention unit and is reflected to the subject contact surface, and the light inflow prevention unit 355 of the holder 350 By preventing the inflow of light into the prism 341 and 342 or the condenser lens 343 from the side, the light reflected from the subject by the light from the side is prevented from interfering.

The light incident on the first prism 341 is converted into an optical path at an angle of 90 degrees by the first prism 341 to pass through the condenser lens 343 and the stop holder 344.

Next, the light incident on the second prism 342 is captured by the optical sensor 331 after the light path is converted at an angle of 90 ° by the second prism 342.

According to the optical information captured by the optical sensor, the controller (not shown) included in the electronic device outputs a predetermined image such as a cursor or a pointer on the display screen of the electronic device.

In addition to the embodiments described above, the fact that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and scope will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and thus, the present invention is not limited to the above detailed description, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1 is a perspective view showing a portable electronic device equipped with a general optical joystick;

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a general optical joystick;

3 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of an optical joystick according to the present invention;

4 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention with the cover part removed;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part “A” of FIG. 3;

6 is an exploded perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention with the cover part removed;

7 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a portable electronic device having an optical joystick according to the present invention;

8 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention;

9 is a sectional view of the optical joystick shown in FIG. 8;

10 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of an optical joystick according to the present invention;

11 is an exploded perspective view showing a third embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention with the cover part removed;

12 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of an optical joystick according to the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention with the cover part removed; And

14 is an exploded perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the optical joystick according to the present invention with the cover part removed.

Explanation of the main symbols in the drawings

100: light joystick 110: light source

120: cover portion 121: subject contact surface

121a: cover base 121b: infrared pass layer

130: light receiving unit 140: optical member

150: holder

Claims (17)

An infrared light source emitting infrared light; A cover unit illuminated by the infrared light source and having a subject contact surface for contact with the subject; A light receiving unit for detecting infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject; And An optical member provided in an infrared light path reflected from the subject toward the light receiving unit; The cover part includes a cover base illuminated by the infrared light source, and an infrared pass layer provided at one side of the cover base to block external light of a predetermined band and to transmit light of an infrared wavelength band, The infrared pass layer may include an infrared pass material coated on at least one surface of an inner side and an outer side of the cover base to transmit only light in an infrared wavelength band. delete delete The method of claim 1, The infrared light source is a light joystick consisting of an infrared LED module for emitting the infrared. The optical joystick of claim 1, further comprising a light condensation shield provided on at least one of the holder accommodating the optical member and the light receiving portion to shield the light. The method of claim 5, The light joystick is a light joystick made of a light blocking material through which light is not transmitted. An infrared light source emitting infrared light; A cover unit illuminated by the infrared light source and having a subject contact surface for contact with the subject; A light receiving unit for detecting infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject; An optical member provided in an infrared light path reflected from the subject toward the light receiving unit; And It is provided on one side of the light receiving portion and comprises a light filter for selectively transmitting light of a predetermined wavelength band to the light receiving portion; The cover part may include a cover base illuminated by the infrared light source, and an infrared pass layer provided at one side of the cover base to block external light of a predetermined band and to transmit light of an infrared wavelength band. The method of claim 7, wherein The light filter is coated on the surface of the light receiving portion is a light joystick for transmitting light in the wavelength range of 850nm ± 100nm. An infrared light source emitting infrared light; A cover unit illuminated by the infrared light source and having a subject contact surface for contact with the subject; A light receiving unit for detecting infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject; And An optical member provided in an infrared light path reflected from the subject toward the light receiving unit; The cover part includes a cover base illuminated by the infrared light source, and an infrared pass layer provided at one side of the cover base to block external light of a predetermined band and to transmit light of an infrared wavelength band, The optical member is received inside the holder; The holder is a light joystick including a light source installation groove, the infrared light source is installed, an accommodation groove for accommodating the optical member, and a light inflow prevention unit for blocking the light. The method of claim 9, The light source installation groove is formed outside the receiving groove; The infrared light source, It is disposed perpendicular to the front surface of the cover portion and has a light emitting surface facing in parallel with the front surface of the cover portion; The light emitting surface is disposed facing the light reflecting surface is formed to be inclined on the wall surface of the light source installation groove, the light reflecting surface reflects the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source toward the subject contact surface. An infrared light source emitting infrared light; A cover unit illuminated by the infrared light source and having a subject contact surface for contact with the subject; A light receiving unit for detecting infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject; And An optical member provided in an infrared light path reflected from the subject toward the light receiving unit; The cover part includes a cover base illuminated by the infrared light source, and an infrared pass layer provided at one side of the cover base to block external light of a predetermined band and to transmit light of an infrared wavelength band, The light receiving portion includes an optical sensor mounted to the holder; The infrared light source is connected to a first circuit board, and the optical sensor is connected to a second circuit board; The holder includes an optical joystick including a first coupling protrusion inserted into a first coupling hole formed in the first circuit board and a second coupling protrusion inserted into a second coupling hole formed in the second circuit board. The method of claim 11, The first coupling protrusion protrudes laterally from the side of the holder, and the second coupling protrusion protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the holder, so that the first circuit board is perpendicular to the second circuit board. Optical joystick coupled to. An electronic device main body having a display unit; It comprises a light joystick provided in the main body of the electronic device: The optical joystick; Infrared light source, emitting infrared light A subject contact surface to which a subject for operation of the electronic device contacts is formed, and a cover part illuminated by the infrared light source, A light-receiving unit for detecting infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject, and An optical member provided in an infrared light path reflected from the subject toward the light receiving unit; The cover part includes a cover base illuminated by the infrared light source, and an infrared pass layer provided at one side of the cover base to block external light of a predetermined band and to transmit light of an infrared wavelength band, The infrared pass layer may include an infrared pass material coated on at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the cover base to transmit only light in an infrared wavelength band. delete delete The method of claim 13, The infrared light source is a portable electronic device consisting of an infrared LED module for emitting the infrared. An electronic device main body having a display unit; It comprises a light joystick provided in the main body of the electronic device: The optical joystick; Infrared light source, emitting infrared light A subject contact surface to which a subject for operation of the electronic device contacts is formed, and a cover part illuminated by the infrared light source, A light-receiving unit for detecting infrared rays reflected and transmitted to the subject, and An optical member provided in an infrared light path reflected from the subject toward the light receiving unit; The cover part includes a cover base illuminated by the infrared light source, and an infrared pass layer provided at one side of the cover base to block external light of a predetermined band and to transmit light of an infrared wavelength band, The light receiving portion includes an optical sensor mounted to the holder; The infrared light source is connected to a first circuit board, and the optical sensor is connected to a second circuit board; The holder includes a first coupling protrusion inserted into a first coupling hole formed in the first circuit board and a second coupling protrusion inserted into a second coupling hole formed in the second circuit board.

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